INTRO Playing Together//Hamkke Noneun, our Korean + anime season emerged out of a conversation which took place during our Japan Season last year, and has involved the work of a large team of community volunteers. The youngest member of our group is only 15. All the team members have made a contribution and helped to deliver the final programme; some were active at different stages of the process. These special seasons provide a wonderful opportunity to learn, to create something unique for Cromarty Cinema, to connect and to come together through film.
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Playing Together//Hamkke Noneun deliberately covers a wide range of genres and topics - the programme includes shorts, classics, new films, as well as funny, shocking and poignant material. We hope that audiences will embrace the programme as a whole and take risks with the films. Perhaps you haven’t engaged with anime or are unfamiliar with older Korean classics? We invite everyone to take a chance with us!
LISTINGS Thursday
01/9
THE HOST
Saturday
03/9
AKIRA
Thursday
08/9
COMRADE KIM GOES FLYING
Saturday
10/9
WEATHERING WITH YOU
Thursday
15/9
SHORTS
Saturday
17/9
WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE
Thursday
22/9
THE BEAUTY INSIDE
Saturday
24/9
PRINCESS MONONOKE
Thursday
29/9
THE MAN FROM NOWHERE
- CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR SCREENING TIMES -
T I C K E T S + C E R T I F I C AT I O N Special ticket prices for the programme: £3.00 £5.00
for Under 26s Standard
Tickets can be bought from Cromarty Cinema Box Office on Wednesdays from 12:00 - 2:00 and 30 mins before screenings (when still available).
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SCREENINGS
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Photo by Ruth Clark
THE HOST
THURS 1/9
BONG Joon-ho
2006
2hrs
An American military base releases toxic chemicals into Seoul’s Han River. Six years later, a mutant squid monster emerges from the river and begins attacking people. The film revolves around Park-Heebong, a man in his late 60s who runs a small snack bar on the banks of the Han River and lives with his two sons, daughter and granddaughter. The Parks are a working class family who we see early on bickering and struggling to make a living, but their bond is stronger than we might initially imagine.
Directed by BONG Joon-ho who made Parasite, ‘The Host’ is an earlier work which features a strong cast including actor, Song Kang-ho who plays the lead role in many of his films.
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“This is a film that will keep you guessing. With a unique mix of humour and suspense interwoven into the family dynamics of the main characters, ‘The Host’ is sure to be a favourite among mysterymonsters-from-the-sea fans.” Andrea Huntley, Project team volunteer
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AKIRA Katsuhiro Otomo
7
1988
2 hrs 4 mins
Akira, known in Japanese as “アキラ”, is a dystopian, cyberpunk cult film. Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo and written by Otomo and Izo Hashimoto, the story is based on Otomo’s 1982 manga of the same name. Set in the sprawling
metropolis of Neo-Tokyo, the story follows Kaneda, a bicycle gang leader who tries to save his friend Tetsuo from the clutches of the government’s secret experiments. Regarded as one of the vanguards of anime, Akira helped to direct international
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SAT 3/9
attention to the animated scene in Japan. It remains one of the most influential anime of all time.
“We are launching this special season with Akira because it’s a classic and highlights the importance of the Japanese animated scene. It’s truly one of the best animes, ever.” Zak Ropars (18), Project team volunteer
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COMRADE KIM G O E S F LY I N G
THURS 8/9
KIM Gwang-hun, Nicholas Bonner + Anja Daelemans
9
2012
1hr 21mins
A light-hearted romantic comedy which features a young woman’s pursuit of her dream to become an acrobat in a circus. Comrade Kim Yong-mi is a 28 year old coal miner who lives with her father and grandfather in a small village in the North Korean countryside. When she was young her mother supported her dream to become an acrobat. After her mother’s death Kim Yong-mi’s father wanted her to concentrate on her work in the coal mine and forget childish dreams of flying. She travels to Pyongyang with work and visits the circus.
Special Guest Vicky Inam Mohieddeen who was Creative Projects Manager for Koryo Tours will introduce the film and take part in a Q+A.
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“I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences of North Korean cinema with audiences in Cromarty.” Vicky Inam Mohieddeen
W E AT H E R I N G WITH YOU
SAT 10/9
Makoto Shinkai
2019
1hr52mins
Written and directed by Makoto Shinkai, Weathering With You follows young runaway Hadaka, who flees to Tokyo to start a new life. There he meets and befriends Hina, a young girl with the power to control the weather. As well as stunning imagery, and likeable characters, the film features a memorable soundtrack by the band RADWIMPS who composed the music for Shinkai’s earlier, and hugely successful film, Your Name.
Year and Outstanding Achievement in Music in 2020.
12A
“Weathering With You puts across a really powerful message about the weather,spirit world and Tokyo, linked by the Sunshine Girl. The art, animation and characters are brilliant and well thought out. I definitely recommend this – it’s an amazing piece of film-making!” Demelza Tait, 11
Weathering With You won both Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the
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SHORTS JANCHI GUKSU 2016 - 4 mins 18 Ellie Kyungran Heo
SPROUT 2013 - 20 mins YOON Ga-eun
MIDNIGHT SUN 2013 - 23 mins 14 KANG Ji-sook
Shorts offer insight into different life experiences. We’ve curated a unique programme for Cromarty which begins with work by artist film-maker, Ellie Kyungran Heo. Janchi Guksu is an enticing film which shows a simple dish of warm noodles in anchovy broth being prepared stepby-step. Korean food is such a strong part of the culture that we felt it was important to include in the programme.
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This special selection also features several award-winning shorts. This includes The Monologue by director KIM Bo-Young which was inspired by the best-selling novel ‘Kim Ji Young, 1982’ as well as the director’s own experiences working as an actress. Midnight Sun by KANG Jisook features brother Byeong-woo and sister Heesoo who are both deaf. The story reveals their struggles to be properly
N/C
THURS 15/9
THE MONOLOGUE 2018 - 29 mins 30
A BRAND NEW JOURNEY 2010 - 29 mins 50
KIM Bo-young
KIM Hee-jin
acknowledged at work and in their personal lives. “Shorts are a wonderful way of engaging with a diverse body of work and array of film-makers. Three of the directors are women, one of whom was an artist-inresidence at Hospitalfield in Arbroath.These specially selected works provide insight into different traditions, lives and stories.” Susan Christie, Cinema volunteer
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W H E N M A R N I E WA S Hiromasa Yonebayashi
15
2014
1hr 43mins
When Marnie Was There is an animated Japanese drama film written and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, and produced by Studio Ghibli. 12 year old Anna travels to the countryside over summer for her physical and mental health, where she stumbles upon a curious
old mansion overlooking the marshes. There she meets the ethereal and mysterious Marnie. As time progresses, the two form an unbreakable bond which seems to transcend the division between reality and fantasy. Exploring themes of friendship, family and identity,
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S THERE When Marnie Was There is a hauntingly beautiful story of self-discovery which is complemented by stunning visuals and a breathtaking score. “The psychology of Anna’s character is explored in detail - viewers can understand her psyche,
SAT 17/9
which makes her relationship with Marnie all the more fascinating. Full of characteristic Ghibli charm, it’s a remarkable film which can be enjoyed by a wide public.” Ruby McBride (16), Cinema volunteer
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THE BEAUTY INSIDE
THURS 22/9
BAEK Jong-yul
2015
2hrs 7mins
A South Korean man, Woojin wakes every day in a different body. He’s the same person on the inside but outside, he’s always someone new. The only constant in his life is the girl he loves, Yi-soo, who knows his secret and loves him anyway. With every transformation, Woojin has to work out how to return to his own body and reunite with Yi-soo.
into a successful TV series. There are cameos by over 100 extremely well known Korean actors.”
This is director BAEK Jong-yul’s first feature after a career directing commercials. “The film won several awards and has been made
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N/C PG
Marley Mackenzie (23), Cinema volunteer
PRINCESS MONONOKE
SAT 24/9
Hayao Miyazaki
PG
1997
2hrs 13mins
2022 marks the 25th anniversary of this complex work which was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and has been described as a ‘dark and angry film, full of strange spectacle’. The story takes place in the 14th Century, when harmony between humans, animals and gods begins to crumble. Young prince Ashitaka, is infected by a boar attack and seeks a cure. During his travels, he sees humans ravaging the earth.
that, ”Miyazaki built a film in which there are no bad guys. There are only consequences.” “This movie fuelled my passion for anime and mythology, because many of the fantastical creatures are based on Japanese folklore.” Coco Miller (15), Project team volunteer
Author Neil Gaiman who scripted the English dubbed version commented
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THE MAN FROM NOWHERE
THURS 29/9
LEE Jeong-Beom
21
2010
1hr 59mins
A bedraggled stranger with a violent past - Tae-sik - works as a pawnkeeper in a rundown basement. Going by the name ‘ajussi’ - Korean for stranger or mister, the man avoids people but has a soft spot for youngster Jeong So-mi, who visits him to avoid her violent home life. The film features WonBin in the title role, a mysterious character whose quiet outward appearance is coupled with a sense of restrained rage. He always seems to be about to explode. Beautifully shot and choreographed, this action film has some highly memorable
fight scenes. As well as gripping action scenes, the film also features some tender interactions between the two main characters.
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“TMFN is immediately recognisable as the inspiration for Hollywood’s John Wick, though more sophisticated in every way. Won-Bin’s performance and Lee Jeongbeom’s masterful direction draws in the audience. Gorgeously shot, both the cinematography and quirky characters reference anime.” Nicole Bontemps, Project team volunteer
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Japanese-Scottish illustrator Emily Katagiri will be running manga drawing workshops over three sessions. As well as being skilled in illustration, Emily is an active member of her local parkour community. “My favourite genres are actions and fantasy. I’m easily tempted into conversations about anime, stories, or cool parkour spots.” For further details about the activities and workshops, contact Susan susechristie@gmail.com
Illustration by Emily Katagiri
WO R K S H O P S + ACTIVITIES
Two of our volunteers will provide insight into the Korean language at the beginning of each weekly Korean film screening. These sessions will be short + fun interactions designed to provide audience members with simple phrases which feature in the films’ dialogue. Other extra activities designed to broaden cultural awareness include sessions learning about food, tea ceremonies and other traditions including Korean formal dress (Hanbok).
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AC K N OW L E D G E M E N T S THE TEAM Jenny + Susan + Coco + Nicole + Marley + Nicki + Andrea + Ruby + Caden + Fiona + Zak SPECIAL THANKS We would like to express our warm thanks to the staff at Film Hub Scotland for their support. We’d also like to thank the film distributors, British Council Korea, LUX London, Park Circus Group, the team at Korean Cultural Centre UK/London Korean Film Festival and HONG Seongyoon at Central Park Films for their kind input. DESIGN Ellie Bainbridge PRINT A4 Design & Print, Inverness All uncredited images are film stills. Cover images from The Host courtesy of Park Circus/ STUDIOCANAL.
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